When in Bangkok – you never run out of shopping opportunities be it in Pratunam, Platinum Mall, Sampeng Lane or Chatuchak Market as evident from our suggested Bangkok itineraries.  We thought no other shopping places could amaze us but we were very surprised with what Terminal 21 had to offer!  Terminal 21 at Sukhumvit is a relatively new shopping mall that offers a whole new experience of shopping that brings you around the world as you shop!

As the name suggests – Terminal 21 is designed almost like a modern airport with a nicely designed glass and steel facade. Right before you enter Terminal 21, there are the usual stickers pasted on the door – no food & drinks, no pets and interestingly photography allowed and encouraged – a twist from what we usually see at other shopping malls which ban photography.  The travel theme continues inside Terminal 21 with information desk staff dressed as air stewardess and interactive “check-in” flight information displays.

The nine floors at Terminal 21 house over 600 shops, cineplex, supermarket and a food court and many restaurants offering a selection of Thai and international cuisine.  Right at the Ground Floor (GF), you will find yourself in Rome with various Roman marble statues along the pillars, Roman “ruins” and murals.  Everything right down to the “street names” are duplicated to the exact detail under the concept “Heaven of Rome” – indeed the prices of clothes sold at this floor is very heavenly – the Ground Floor of Terminal 21 shopping mall hosts mainly luxury brands and brand name boutiques e.g. Kipling, Fox, CC:OO, Nike, Jaspal, Adidas, Levi’s, and more.

Shoppers can continue to enjoy the regal treatment at the Ground Floor washrooms – check out the lion taps at the male toilet and the Roman fountain at the female toilet in the picture below.

The design of the toilets in Terminal 21 shopping mall are unique at every floor and at some floors, the 2 toilets at different ends share the same theme but are designed slightly differently – for example at Level 1F – one toilet had adopted the old-school Japanese zen design and the other toilet is decorated with anime characters in Harajuku Town.

The Japan floor of Terminal 21 shopping mall is designed with influences from the Nakamise-Dōri Market – a street on the approach to the Sensō-ji temple and the fun and modern Harajuku Town. At this floor, you will find ladies’ fashion – for ladies shopping for undergarments e.g. bras – this floor is also where brand names e.g. Triumph, Wacoal are located.  Prices for undergarments in Bangkok are very cheap compared to those sold in Singapore (almost 40 – 60% discounts – even for products not on promotion).  You will also find typical Japanese icons such as Sumo, Torii (the traditional Japanese gate found in front of a Shinto shrine) and Maneki Neko (the lucky cat 招き猫) – lots of photo taking opportunities!

Going up one more level at Level 2F, we cannot get more British than a London Tube-themed restroom – well how is Terminal 21 able to fit the London Tube into the restrooms – take a look for yourself – see pictures below.

At Terminal 21 shopping mall, Men’s fashion is at the 2nd floor (London level).  Lots of other London icons – from the red double-deckers, British bobbies, the Queen’s Guards (note that they are labelled T R – i guess it means Terminal Royalty – the alphabets are known as Royal Crypher and are made of the King/Queen’s initials – which is E II R – Elizabeth II Regina now.

You can enter the world of the mystical at Level 3F – the Middle Eastern feel at this floor extends to the toilets – the tiles are decorated with the typical Turkish blue tiles and lit up with lamps that are reminiscent of Aladdin’s era.

The 3rd floor (Istanbul) is for gifts, jewellery, fashion accessories, toys, beauty products and home décor. With an eclectic collection of shops, this floor has a look and feel of a Middle Eastern zouk (bazaar) but with a modern twist.

Level 4 and 5 San Francisco are all about food – you will find more than 50 restaurants and cafés – most restaurant chains and independent outlets are represented here, among them Pepper Lunch, MK, Chabuton, Dory Seafood Bistro, Secret Recipe, Tohkai Yakiniku, Tony Roma’s, Fuji, Ootoya, The Canton House, Baanying Café and Swensen’s.

Level 4 has more of the San Francisco city feel – with the iconic San Francisco trams/cable cars and of course the Golden Gate Bridge and Chinatown offering great photo opportunities.

San Francisco is known for its sourdough and the toilets at Level 4 San Francisco had adopted that theme – bakery accordingly – a colorful mix of dough rollers and bread.

Level 5 San Francisco is themed as Pier 21 – a word play on the famous Pier 39 and Fisherman Wharf of San Francisco which is known for its seafood and bustling markets.  More San Francisco icons here at this level and more food outlets – of course you can also enjoy great seafood at a wide selection of restaurants at this floor.

The Pier 21 San Francisco toilets are designed with the seafood theme in mind – a tribute to the famous Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 of San Francisco and its famous crab dishes!

If you had your fill of food at San Francisco, transit to Hollywood glamour one floor up with a Hollywood Boulevard walk of fame celebrity footprints and handprints in the toilet and paparazzis welcoming you as you enter your Hollywood changing room!

To complete the lifestyle experience, Terminal 21 also has an eight-screen cineplex on the 6th floor operated by SF Cinema City at Level 6F Hollywood.  This is complete with Hollywood Oscar statue and the Lights, Sound, Camera decor at this level.

Terminal 21 Shopping Mall is conveniently located along Sukhumvit Road between Soi 19 and 21.  Getting there to Terminal 21 shopping mall is easy – either by BTS Skytrain (alight at Asok Station – Exit 1) or MRT (alight at Sukhumvit Station – Exit 3) or Bus (2, 25, 38, 40, 136, 185, 501, 508, 511, 513)

Terminal 21 Shopping Mall is open daily from 10am to 10pm.

Planning a trip to Bangkok? We recommend Citadines Sukhumvit 11 Bangkok Apart’Hotel and Somerset Sukhumvit Thonglor Bangkok Residence as one of your accommodation options in Bangkok.  The complimentary tuk-tuk service from Citadines Sukhumvit 11 Bangkok Apart’Hotel drops off and picks up at Terminal 21 shopping mall.

To check out the hottest bites, bars, events and celebrity scoop near the Ascott serviced residence of your choice in Bangkok, go to Ascott Living website, specifically the Ascott Living Inside Track which provides a quick travel guide to Bangkok.